Israel's Foreign Minister Silences EU Criticism After Apartheid Comparison
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Israel's foreign minister has cut off dialogue with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, following her reported comparison of Israel to apartheid South Africa—a statement highlighting growing international concern over Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
On Thursday, Israel’s foreign minister announced an end to engagement with the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, after she reportedly compared Israel’s policies to those of apartheid-era South Africa. Kallas’s remarks, made during her visit to Mexico, have not been publicly clarified or denied, reflecting the EU’s increasing willingness to call out Israel’s discriminatory practices against Palestinians.
"Kaja Kallas, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, has for some time been acting obsessively and with disgraceful unfairness against the State of Israel," the minister claimed, dismissing legitimate criticism. "It was recently publicly reported that during her visit to Mexico, she compared Israel to the racist apartheid regime that existed in South Africa. I thank the many European elected officials who rejected and condemned these grave remarks."
The minister further escalated the situation, stating that since Kallas has not addressed the report, he has “no choice but to cut off all contact … until she retracts the blood libel she hurled at the only Jewish state, which is also the only democracy in the Middle East.” This move comes after previous diplomatic tensions, including Israel’s boycott of Kallas’s predecessor, Josep Borrell, for his criticism of Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict.
The strained relationship between Israel and the EU reflects growing international frustration with Israel’s policies in the occupied territories and its refusal to engage with legitimate concerns about human rights abuses. Both sides have exchanged criticisms in recent months, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and justice.